While we were at SPGBMA earlier this month, Mike Andes brought over his brand new, just-out-of-the-box solo project, The Songs I Sing. It was so new at the time that when I asked if he and Nothin Fancy would be performing any of the songs on stage, Mike said that they hadn’t even heard the CD yet.

Andes wrote all the material, and with him singing all the leads it will have a familiar sound for Nothin Fancy fans. But he purposely brought in other musicians to track, other than Chris Sexton, wanting to give the album its own distinct sound. So he enlisted Mark Delaney to play banjo, Marshall Wilborn on bass, and Mark Clinton on reso-guitar. Darren Beachley and Becky Mason provide harmony vocals, with Mike on guitar and mandolin.

All 14 tracks feature Mike’s original songs, ones he especially held back for this record.

Samples can be heard at at CD Baby, where digital downloads are available for sale. CDs can be ordered through the Nothin Fancy web site.

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.

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